Keep on Keeping on BOOK ONE

Chapter 21

The tour was over finally! I left the tour bus and headed to my house. Brendon ran after me.
"Baby, I will call you, ok?" He said. I nodded and kissed him. I unlocked my front door and walked in. I immediately put the air-conditioning on and checked my mail.
I dragged my huge suitcase to the laundry room and started to unpack. I put the first load on and made some tea. I sat for a while, getting used to having space and the quiet. The silence was a wonderful sound. I laid my head back on the couch and closed my eyes. I sipped some tea and decided on takeout for dinner. I had no groceries in, and I was in no mood to shop right now. My phone rang, which made me jump. I looked at the caller ID. Lauren.
"Hi honey." I said.
"Hey girl. Are you finally home?"
"Yea. Literally just got through the door. Takeout bath and bed. I am exhausted. What's up with you?"
"I have a date with Dan next Friday. "
"Omg! Lau! I am so happy for you. If you guys work out, then we can double date!" I was excited. We chatted a while longer, then hung up. I ordered some Chinese takeout, had a bath, and slept for 12 hours straight. The day after, I did all my household chores and went grocery shopping. I hadn't heard from Brendon at all. The other guys,sure, but not him.
As I cooked myself some dinner with a glass of wine and some Carly Simon playing, there was a knock at the door. I opened the front door and there stood my boyfriend, sorry fiancé.
"Hi, Maddie." He said. Brendon was holding some Daisies. My favourite. He handed them to me, and I took in their scent.
"Thank you, B." I said and kissed him. We went through to the kitchen. My dinner was nearly ready. I offered Brendon some, and he accepted. It was nothing special, just spaghetti and meatballs. We ate at my dining table in my kitchen and talked. Carly was still playing, singing that nobody does it better.
It occurred to me that Brendons never slept over at my house, and we've known each other over a year and a half. Also, vice versa.
Finishing our food, I stood up to clear the dishes. Brendon told me to sit down. He would clear. So I took my glass of wine and went to sit in my living room.
A little while later, Brendon joined me with his bottle of beer. We talked, and then Brendon made a suggestion.
"How about we go ring shopping tomorrow?"
"Really?" I was excited. Brendon nodded.
"I will pick you up around 10.30?"
"Oh, you aren't staying?" I was disappointed.
"I was trying to be a gentleman and not presume I can stay."
"Brendon, we have seen each other naked and done lots of things with each other, naked. I think we are past the point of an actual courtship." I said, touching Brendons arm. Brendon ran a hand through his hair, and I moved closer to him. I put my arms around him and hugged him to me.
"You are such a sweetheart B." I kissed the top of his head and rested my cheek on his hair. I inhaled the smell of his shampoo.
We stayed like this for quite a while. I thought Brendon had fallen asleep until he sat up and cupped my cheeks and kissed me.
We finished our drinks and went to bed.

I woke up like a kid at Christmas the following morning. I was excited to go ring shopping. Brendon was snoring. I got out of bed and had a shower. I then made coffee and some waffles with maple syrup for breakfast. I was about to wake Brendon when he came through in just his boxers. He walked over to me and kissed me good morning. A kiss that was lingering and left me feeling that if we weren't going out today, we would be going back to bed.
"Thank you, darlin." He said, drinking his coffee and digging into his breakfast. I smiled and ate too. I finished my coffee and took my dishes, and loaded them into the dishwasher. Brendon stood behind me with his. I took them from him.
Brendon went to have a shower. I had found some of his shirts in my suitcase when I unpacked, so I put them on my bed and quickly washed and dried his jeans. Brendon takes forever in the shower. By the time he finished, his skinny jeans were washed and dried. They were still warm from the tumble dryer.
As he got ready, I did a few chores. Swept the floors and put some more washing on. I scrubbed the kitchen. I had my headphones on, and I was listening to my cleaning playlist.
"Let's go, girls." I said out loud. I had no idea that Brendon was ready. I was dancing around cleaning my house. Brendon was leaning against the doorway into my kitchen, watching me. I turned in his direction.
"Fuckin hell!" I said putting my hand on my chest. "B, you scared me!" I put the headphones around my neck. Shania Twain was sounding tinny now.
"Sorry, babe. I was enjoying your dancing. You can shake that fine ass of yours anytime, babe."Brendon winked at me. I blushed and stopped my music. I went to freshen up. Then we went out in Brendons car.